The Great Big Halloween Hunt Trail
3 Oct–1 Nov (another 23 days)
A family activity trail in Hughenden’s formal gardens, inspired by the children’s book The Great Big Halloween Hunt. Children can search, play and explore along the route.
Buckinghamshire
Buckinghamshire is a scenic ceremonial county in South East England known for its historic market towns, natural beauty in the Chiltern Hills, cultural landmarks like Bletchley Park, and strong rail and public transport connections.
Cliveden house visits
13 Oct, 15 Oct…
Join a volunteer-guided tour of the ground floor of Cliveden House and hear stories about the Astor dynasty and the house’s history. Tours run at regular intervals and explore rooms where notable visitors were once received.
Autumn Wreath Workshop
13 Oct (next Tuesday)
An adults-only workshop at Hughenden where participants are guided through making a full-sized autumn wreath using seasonal foliage, dried herbs, berries and decorative materials.
2 miles from Wallasea Island
Wallasea Island is a wildlife-rich nature reserve featuring saltmarsh, mudflats, lagoons and grasslands that support a variety of birds, mammals and invertebrates. Visitors can explore multiple walking trails and wildlife viewing hides in a well-managed outdoor habitat with good wheelchair accessibility. Dogs are permitted on one trail on a short lead, and no food facilities are available onsite.
Located in High Wycombe
High Wycombe is a historic market town in Buckinghamshire, England, known for its rich furniture-making heritage, cultural attractions, and green spaces in the Chiltern Hills. It offers a walkable town centre with shopping centres, museums, parks, and theatres alongside good public and rail transport connections.
Zombies of Lamport Trail
9 Oct–1 Nov (another 23 days)
Follow a zombie-themed trail through Stowe Gardens, solving puzzles to help a scientist find an antidote and clear the zombies from Lamport. The trail is designed for children aged 6 and over.
Near Stowe House
Stowe House is a lavish historic English country house known for its pioneering 21st-century restoration project, set within the renowned Stowe landscape with enchanting gardens. Visitors can explore the interior of the house and enjoy accessible facilities and food options onsite.
'The Polar Failure': Uncovering the hidden images of the 1875 Arctic expedition
7 Oct 2026–28 Jun 2027 (another 262 days)
An immersive exhibition at Hughenden Manor explores Britain’s 1875 Arctic expedition through more than 100 historic photographs, rare objects and narration. Visitors can learn about the journey and the experiences of the crews of HMS Alert and HMS Discovery.
Near Hughenden
Hughenden Manor is a Victorian mansion and former country house of Prime Minister Benjamin Disraeli, featuring historic rooms, memorabilia, and extensive gardens in Buckinghamshire. Now owned by the National Trust, it offers visitors a blend of indoor historical experience and outdoor natural beauty with views over the valley.
Behind the Scenes Tour
18 Oct (next Sunday)
A 60-minute guided tour of the rooms where Waddesdon Manor’s servants lived and worked, including how those spaces are used today and how the collection is conserved. The tour also visits the academic apartments, Treasury and Wine Cellars.
Near Waddesdon
Waddesdon Manor in Buckinghamshire is a French Renaissance-style château set in expansive Victorian gardens featuring ornate fountains, a rococo aviary, and a woodland playground. Visitors can explore the impressive art collection inside the manor, enjoy family-friendly outdoor activities, guided garden walks, and dine at onsite restaurants and cafes.
Autumn-Winter Outdoor Play at Dunstable Downs
7 Oct 2026–28 Feb 2027 (another 142 days)
Families can enjoy outdoor play at Dunstable Downs, including a welly wander, building woodland dens, making muddy creations, and playing outdoor hopscotch while exploring seasonal changes and wildlife.
Near Dunstable Downs
Dunstable Downs, the highest point in Bedfordshire, is a chalk escarpment in the Chiltern Hills offering outdoor activities like gliding and kite flying, with rich natural history and ancient archaeological sites. It is managed by the National Trust and accessible via walking trails.
Saved for the Nation
7–11 Oct, 14–18 Oct…
A display celebrating the transfer to the National Trust of two paintings by Sir Joshua Reynolds: portraits of Joanna Leigh and the actor David Garrick. It also explains the Acceptance in Lieu scheme through which the works entered the national collection.
Near Waddesdon Manor
Waddesdon Manor is a Grade I listed Neo-Renaissance country house in Buckinghamshire, England, managed by the National Trust and owned by the Rothschild Foundation. It features remarkable art collections, formal gardens, an aviary, and historic wine cellars, with public access including exhibitions, dining, and child-friendly activities.
Tiny Tots Halloween Trail
9 Oct–1 Nov (another 23 days)
A Halloween activity trail around New Inn for children aged six and under, with playful actions such as walking like a mummy, flapping like a bat and meowing like a cat.
Sir John Vanbrugh and the Making of Stowe
15 Oct (next Thursday)
Michael Bevington gives a lecture on Sir John Vanbrugh’s work at Stowe, including archaeological evidence for his buildings and his contribution to the landscape vision developed with Lord Cobham and Charles Bridgeman. The 60-minute talk is followed by audience questions.
Near Stowe Gardens
Stowe Gardens in Buckinghamshire are a prestigious English landscape garden featuring extensive parkland, architectural monuments, classical temples, and historical structures designed by prominent 18th-century architects and gardeners. Managed by the National Trust, the gardens offer a significant outdoor visitor experience with preserved landscapes and classical architecture, a visitor centre, and a rich heritage of garden design.
Creepy Chilterns
7 Oct–2 Nov (another 24 days)
A self-guided trail for children aged 8–12 exploring myths, legends and mysterious folklore of the Chiltern Hills. Participants explore Hughenden’s house and gardens, uncover ghostly tales and local legends, and encounter magical creatures.
Painting Workshops
17 Oct, 1 Nov…
A guided acrylic painting workshop led by Easely Does It, with step-by-step instruction, demonstrations and individual support. Participants create a canvas to take home; no previous painting experience is needed.
October Half Term - Stranger Folk at Hughenden
7 Oct–1 Nov (another 23 days)
Families can use the Stranger Folk app to follow an interactive adventure inspired by British folklore at Hughenden, working together to heal a rift between the human and spirit worlds. The story features characters such as a mysterious Old Crone, goblins and boggarts.
October Half Term – Stranger Folk at Cliveden
3 Oct–8 Nov (another 30 days)
Families can use the Stranger Folk app to play an interactive folklore adventure around Cliveden, encountering goblins and other creatures. The event also includes scheduled children’s craft drop-ins and age-appropriate storytelling sessions.
3 miles from Bradenham, Buckinghamshire
Bradenham is a National Trust village in Buckinghamshire located in a broad valley within the Chiltern Hills, featuring historic buildings including a manor house, a Norman church, and beautiful natural surroundings. It offers outdoor exploration with a mix of heritage and nature experiences.
The Rothschild Story
7–11 Oct, 14–18 Oct…
An interactive display explores the history and family tree of the Rothschild family, including their connections to Waddesdon Manor and their interests in art, horticulture, nature and sustainability.
3 miles from Nether Winchendon House
Nether Winchendon House is a Grade I listed Medieval and Tudor manor house in Buckinghamshire, featuring historic architecture and surrounded by extensive gardens and parkland. Visitors can tour the house on selected dates by pre-booking.
Guided Tours at Stowe Gardens
31 Mar–2 Apr, 7–9 Apr…
Join a volunteer-led guided tour at Stowe Gardens to learn about the gardens’ history. Tours last approximately one hour to 90 minutes and begin at Bell Gate.
2 miles from Buckingham Chantry Chapel
Buckingham Chantry Chapel is a historic 15th-century chapel in Buckingham, noted for its Norman doorway and status as the oldest building in town. Owned by the National Trust, it is currently open to the public as a second-hand bookshop, offering visitors insight into medieval ecclesiastical architecture and local heritage.
Autumn Boating at Cliveden
8–11 Oct, 15–18 Oct…
Visitors can take a boat trip on the River Thames at Cliveden, choosing from self-drive electric launches, a skippered cruise, pedal boats, rowing boats or Canadian canoes. The event also highlights Cliveden’s historic association with boating on the Thames.
Social walks with the National Trust
2 Oct, 16 Oct…
A volunteer-led social walk across Cookham Commons, taking in heathland, woodland paths and countryside views. Participants can learn about the area and its care while walking at a relaxed pace and meeting others.
Near Cliveden
Cliveden House is a historic Italianate mansion in Buckinghamshire managed by the National Trust with extensive formal gardens, woodlands, and themed outdoor areas. It features a richly decorated interior with notable rooms and art, a historic clock tower, and a unique outdoor maze. The estate provides diverse visitor experiences including house tours, garden walks, family-friendly activities, and dining options.